10 Things to Do in Seoul, Korea this January

January 2019 is looking good for all lovers of snow, concerts and ice festivals! Kick off 2019 with some wonderful winter-themed events, spiked with a dash of live music, and maybe even some lake fishing (if you dare brave the cold!) Take a look at some of the hottest events coming up this January in South Korea.

If you’re looking to laugh your way into the new year, then seeing Jim Jefferies live in Seoul is the best way to start. Jim Jefferies is stopping by to perform his widely acclaimed “The Night Talker” tour, a stand-up comedy act that packs a punch and leaves no stone unturned. Attendees can expect to get a taste of the same bold, bear-poking comedy that he has brought to his late-night gig on The Jim Jefferies Show, and will find themselves doubling over in laughter as he brings his best material right to Seoul’s Yes24 Live House. To find out more about the show, take a look at the Jim Jefferies in Seoul ‘The Night Talker Tour’ event on our directory webpage. To check out the venue, follow through to the Yes24 Live Hall listing.

If you haven’t succumbed to your inner Grinch and still want to see some more Christmas-y lights, then you’re in luck. The Lighting Festival at the Garden of Morning Calm is continuing throughout January, giving guests over 30,000 lights to make up a light spectacular that could be seen from outer space. During the festival, attendees can take in the Hakyung Garden, Hometown House Garden, Bonsai Garden, Moonlight Garden, Sky Path and Garden of Eden when they alive in bright colourful designs. For more information about the Lighting Festival, take a look at the Lighting Festival at The Garden of Morning Calm event on our Directory. For more information on the venue, check out The Garden of Morning Calm listing as well.

January is still the season of white mountain peaks and frozen toes, so all sled-lovers and ice-skaters won’t be missing out when it comes to snowy, winter fun at the Jaraseom SingSing Winter Festival. The main event may be for those who fancy some ice fishing, but the festival will also bring activities such as ATV riding, sledding, cart riding and bumper cars, open markets, experience booths, performances, and themed events. The event itself is tucked away near Gapyeong Stream, a tourist hot-spot with plenty of attractions, restaurants and accommodation options available. For more information about the festival, take a look at the Jaraseom SingSing Winter Festival event listing on our Directory.

Queen has always been an icon of music history, and the recent release of the biographical movie Bohemian Rhapsody has sparked Queen fever all over Korea. Now in January, reputable Queen cover band 0vueen will hold their first 2019 concert in Hongdae, bringing to fans the most loved of the rock phenomenon’s hits. 0vueen has been playing for 22 years, and have a reigning title as the longest tribute band to cover Queen in South Korea. This night is set to be a night that will rock you, and a chance for all fans, new and old alike, to show their love for Queen and relive their greatest sensations. For more information about the show, have a look at the Queen Tribute Band in Seoul event on our Directory. You can also check out the KT&G SangSang Madang listing for more information on the show’s venue.

Thanks to their previously sold out brunches, the Drag Drink Play’s Drag Brunch is now a monthly eleganza extravaganza! Join Drag Drink Play for their first midday drag event of 2019, which will be held at the Southside Parlor in Itaewon. This brunch will bring you bottomless mimosas for two hours and a stellar show of some of Seoul’s favourite acts, including Charlotte Goodenough, Vanessica Carver, and Jaxter the Taco Master. Price for the tickets does not include the food itself, but Southside Parlour puts on a delicious vegan brunch available for purchase while enjoying the show. For more information about this event, have a look at the Drag Drink Play: Drag Brunch event listing on our Directory. To find more information about the venue, check out our listing for Southside Parlor.

One for the fishing fanatics out there, and all those who would love a feed of fresh trout. Gangwon’s cold waters may have frozen over, but trout fishing is alive this coming January. Holes are cut in the ice for fishers to dip in their lures and try and catch a bite, and any fish caught on the day can be prepped and cooked at one of the nearby restaurants surrounding the beautiful snowy town of Pyeongchang. During the festival, families, couples, and singles will have a chance to try snow programs, ice programs, folk programs, sledding, top spinning, riding 4-wheel ATVs, snow rafting, and sleigh trains. To find out more about this event, follow through to the Pyeongchang Trout Festival event listing on our Directory.

The little prince has come down from his asteroid this winter to bring Gyeonggi a taste of what it’s like to live up in the stars. When the sun goes down on French culture village Petite France, the exhibition will come alive to dazzle guests with a light display themed around the favoured French children’s book, The Little Prince. The lit-up snowy streets will place you right in the middle of romantic France, alongside orgel performances, marionette performances, puppet performances, magic performances, plaster art experiences, and wish tree events sprinkled throughout the village’s European flair. To find out more about the event, visit the Little Prince Lighting Festival of Petite France listing on our events page. To know more about the location, take a look at the listing of Petite France on our Directory.

If you can’t get enough of the wonderful winter snow, then it’s a good idea to take a day or two exploring the Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival. This isn’t just your typical Snow Festival, but instead showcases towering snow and ice sculptures that will put the average snowman to shame. There are of course many other winter activities available, including the Taebaeksan Mountain Snowflake Hiking Competition, an Igloo Café, ice fountain, snow sliding, a starlight festival and much more. It is an event for the whole family aimed to make the most of the winter days, with plenty of opportunities to get snowy snaps for the Instagram. To find out more about this festival, take a look at the Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival event on our Directory. To know some more about the location, follow through the the Taebaeksan Mountain listing.

A once in a lifetime show for all fans of old-school rock is rolling its way into Seoul this coming January. Lead guitarist of Guns ‘N Roses and legend on the strings, Slash, will be accompanied by Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators in a one night only show at the Yes24 Live Hall. Having already played their “Living the Dream Tour” to legions of fans all over the world, this next leg of his Asian tour will bring back some old favourites, including tracks like Welcome to the Jungle, Paradise City and Sweet Child O’ Mine. For more information on how to see Slash’s shredding guitar skills, take a look at the event on our Directory’s event page. You can also find out more about the location through our Yes24 Live Hall listing.

The Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival is an annual event that brings together the best of a Gwangwon winter to one place. During the festival, the whole family is welcome to come and take in the highs and lows of beautiful Hwacheon Stream area. For those wanting to catch some more fish, trout and lure fishing is available, including a specific zone for foreigners who need any help while trying to get their catch of the day. Also, there will be snow sledding, ice sledding, creative sleigh, ice soccer, bobsleigh and rides available. If you aren’t sick of the snow just yet, then the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival should be the next trip on your January bucket list. For more information about this event, have a look at the event listing on our Directory.

Sophie is spending her semester abroad at Korea University whilst feeding her unhealthy obsession with cats, iced mochas and noraebang sessions. She is a fervent writer, photographer, dancer and advocate for the disabled community.